Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-04-08
that generally of class more suited to
his apa an taste than her own


his age an taste than her own.
When Stella had oeen abducted, Pau
Malerson was absent en- one of his Cit,
visits, and st the hour when l introduce
him to the reader, had just returned ant
learned of the matter.
"Well, Aunt Hattie" said he, ate,
Mrs. Delorme had informed him of al
that had occurred, what is this to me
Miss Stella is probably scalped, or elst
the unwilling bride of an Indian, before
this "
"Perhaps not-the rangers may rescue
her, and if so it would be pity that yoU
were not at hand to be the hero of tht
affair AS it is, let me advise you to has
ten and collect a few men and yourself
! set out, as if you felt some anxiety in the
matter. II she is rescued, this act wi
show favorably on your part; if she is
not, why Mr.. Delorme, when he returns
will be pleased with your zeal; and if she
is lost will be very apt to make you bis
heir. You can lose nothing at any rate
"But my scalp! If the red devils happen
still to be lurking round!"
There is no danger of their being in
the vicinity when the rangers are outn'
replied Mrs. Delorme.
"Well, my good aunt, suppose must
even do your bidding. You have man
aged we'll for NE heretofore, and 1t is best
that follow your guidance"
The conversation was now arrested by
the sounds of glad shouts outside; and
both aunt and nephew rushed to the near
est window to see what occasiOned them
"Upon my life, they have recovered
her-see, it is DelOrme himself riding
with her at the head of the rangers. On!
if they had only been sn hour later and
you had met them with your band what
an effect it would have had! but run
down, my good Paul, and tell them what
you were going to do; and if they ask for
me tell them am almost dead with grief
and anxiety. Hurry! l must fix for them
and b. as distracted as pOssble!'
Jupiter! what a manager you are,
Aunt Hattie!" said the admiring nephew,
as he left the apartment
In few moments after DR.. DelOrme
entered the room, accompanied by his
daughter, and was met by Mrs. d. with d
burst Of hysteriCal JOY that was very
affecting. Her hair was all en- neglige,
her eyes as red as If she had been weep
ing oceans of tears, instead of merely
rubbing them, and her air that of one
who had suffered intense mental agony.
con! thank gracious Heaven! you are
returned in safety" she screamed, as she
threw her arms around Stella. 81 have
nearly died with terror, and Paul was
going to rescue you or die!"
And then Mrs. Delorme made a sue
cessful attempt to faint fashionablY,
which gave Mr.. Delorme and his daughter
more trouble than reception less hypo-
critical would have done.
"What shall we do?-she has tainted
away" cried Mr.. Delorme, as he lifted
her from the floor and bore her to a sofa
"Tickle her under the nose with a
feather" said a rough-lOOking man, with
dirty apparel, grizzly beard and matted
hair, who, accompanied by Paul Mailer
son, had followed Mr.. Delorme into the
room, though till then unobserved by
him.
The sound of that mans voice seemed
TO have magic effect upon Mrs. De.
lorme; for with wild scream of terror
she opened her eyes, looked at him an in
slant with gaze of fear and horror, and
then tainted in dead earnest.
"Who are you, sir, that dares to intrude
thus unbidden here?n asked Mr.. Delorme,
angrily.
easy, old gentleman; easy if you
please! That's rather q rough way to
speak to a relation" replied the stranger,
with q sneeriDg GOODNESS not calculated
to please the planter.
"Who are you, sir?" cried Mr.. Delorme
angrily.
"Why, this boy here, Paul Malerson,
has ri5ht to call me father, and that
woman"
"He is my Iong-lost brother-oh, John,
John, have you risen from the grave?"
cried Mrs. Delorme, interrupting him
quickly, while her face was as pale as
bank of snow.
"Yes-her brother, old gentleman; so
you may as well be easy in your tan
trums! I'm going to make myself at
home Ia my sisters house, eh, Hattie!"
And the rude stranger sat himself
down very coolly on a silken ottoman;
and cutting huge quid of tobacco from
plug with long and sayBge-looking
knife, he proceeded to make himself COM
Portable.
The eyes of Mr.. Delorme blazed with
anger, although he was one of the most
hOspitaole and gentle of men; but the
manner of the stranger was insufferaOly
rude and assuming.
Excuse my poor LrOtber, Mr.. De-
lOrme-raised sailor, he is not used to
refinement. Leave US alone little
while. l wish to learn by what miracle
be has been preserved, when we sup
posed him dead"
at is singular, madam, that you did
not before inform me that your brother
was only supposed to be dead" said Mr..
Delorme, colby, as he led his daughter
from the room.
CHAPTER VII.
"Paul, | wish to be alone with this
this person." said Madam DelOrme, pale
and trembling, after her husband left the
room.
"P0h! Hattie! l don't know as the
youngster Is in the way. He is my son,
and ought to know his fathers secrets"
A look of sarcasm sat upon his ugly
face-in hers an expression of agony.
John Malerson," she SAID, in choked
voice, 81 ask for mercy at your hands"
"You shall have it, Hattie-that is, If
you pay rOundly for it ,"
"What does this mean, aunt?" asked
Paul-who, bad as he was, or rather worth
less, did not like the looks or the manner
of the man who called him son, and whom
he now saw tor the first time.
"Oh! Notwithstanding, Paul. Ask
me no questions now, but leave US
alone," she replied, in tone of entreaty.
The young man obeyed, but unwilI-
ingly.
$50, my girl, you thought by a change
of name and this rich marriage to elude
me and make your own fortune, eh?"
sneered M4lerson, when they were alone.
"For Hevaen's sake! speak low; we
know not who may be listening" said
she, fesrfully.
81 care mott fear no man! I have